What We Need

Tuesday, April 16th 2013

We need to remember who we are. Of course, our reaction to events is what defines us as people, communities, societies, nations. But what we need to remember right now is who we are individually. There have been several memes going around lately.about Mr. Rogers.

and, in light of yesterday's events in Boston, this one has been showing up in various forms

Last night I found myself looking at other things about Mr Rogers, and thinking about the fact that he may have been one of the most genuine people every to walk this planet, and many of us got to spend time with him almost every day. Despite this, many of us grew up to be cynics; self-absorbed and material. Almost no one has managed to grow up to be the person Mr. Rogers knew we could be. But, I think he'd also remind us that we're not done yet. We've still got growing up to do, no matter our age, and that becoming that person isn't the goal, but holding that ideal is the map to a territory we still have to explore.

So, let's try a little harder to be who Mr. Rogers would want us to be. Let's not look to blame, to rancor, to anger. Let's look to the helpers. Let's not look at the cowards who ran away from the destruction they caused, but to the heroes who ran in. As Patton Oswalt said: "[W]hen you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will.'" Let us, each one of us, look for someone we can help today. Let's take an action, no matter how small, and do something that makes us feel like Mr. Rogers would say "I like that!" Let's stop talking about the world getting worse, and start working at making it better. Let's be better neighbors.